Give Back this Season: Jersey Cares Coat Drive

Our four-legged visitors always look warm and cozy in their fur this time of year, but our human friends are not always so lucky. In an effort to give back to those New Jersey residents who might be feeling the cold this holiday season, Morris Animal Inn is participating in the Jersey Cares Coat Drive again this year!

From November 1 through December 20, we will be collecting clean and gently used coats for men, women and children in our lobby. At the end of the collection period, coats will be distributed to New Jersey residents in need. Last year, thanks to your generosity, our collection far exceeded our expectations and we were able to make a sizable donation to Jersey Cares. We are proud to have contributed to the over 400,000 coats that the organization has distributed over the past seventeen years!

This year, Jersey Cares is partnering with the 2014 New York/New Jersey Super Bowl Host Committee, Wal-Mart and New York Cares to create what they call "The Super Community Coat Drive." Jersey Cares says that this will be "the largest Coat Drive ever held in the tri-state area -- and likely the largest Coat Drive in history."

Please consider making a contribution to this worthy organization, and help us keep New Jersey residents as comfy and warm as our guests this holiday season! Our lobby is open for donations Monday - Friday 7 AM - 7 PM, Saturday 8 AM - 4 PM and Sunday 10 AM - 4 PM.

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Banish the Bites - Tick and Cicada Pet Safety

People and pets alike are all through the roof about the nice weather, but with warmth comes many tiny bugs that can lead to not-so-tiny problems. According to the Montefiore Medical Center in New York, more than 90 percent of Lyme disease cases from tick bites are reported in just ten northeastern states. New Jersey falls in the top half of this list, and tick numbers are expected to hit extreme highs this summer in our state. For a month or more this summer, we can also expect cicadas, allegedly harmless bugs that can actually pose a threat to our pets. What can you do to help protect your pooch?

Dogs are extremely susceptible to tick bites and the resulting illnesses, including Lyme disease. If tick bites are hard to spot on humans, finding out if your dog has been bitten is even more difficult. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that signs of tick-borne illness may not manifest for 7-21 days or more after your dog is bitten. Even then these signs, which include change in behavior or appetite, can be very subtle. The best thing you can do for your dog is to take preventive measures to avoid ticks and tick bites.

The CDC suggests that in order to reduce the chances that your pet will be exposed to ticks and tick-borne diseases, you should:

• Check your pet daily for ticks, especially after spending time outdoors.

• If you do find a tick on your dog, remove it immediately. For tips on how to properly remove a tick that may already be attached to the skin, you can read step by step instructions at the Lyme Research Alliance website or treatthebite.com. 

• Reduce tick habitat in your yard by trimming tall grasses and brush, mowing your lawn regularly and treating with pesticides.

• Have your groomer do a thorough tick check during routine grooming appointments. To schedule your pet for a full groom, call us at Morris Animal Inn at 973-539-0377.

• Most importantly: talk with your veterinarian. Have your vet conduct a tick check every time your pet has an exam, ask about common tick diseases in your area, and talk about tick preventatives for your pet.

The best method of preventing Lyme and other tick related diseases is to prevent the ticks themselves. A pesticide product that will kill ticks that attach to your dog is an important step towards giving your pet the proper protection. Protecting your dog will help keep you and your family safe as well; though you cannot catch Lyme disease from your dog, ticks that attach to your pet and are then carried into your home can put you at risk. Speak with your vet about finding the right product.

But what about those pesky cicadas? These underground nymphs emerge sometimes as infrequently as once every 17 years, and though they will not bite or sting your pet, they may prove dangerous if your pet decides to do the biting. Cicadas will shed their shells, an exoskeleton that can look like a crunchy treat to dogs, but these shells are not digestible.

The Humane Society warns that though cicadas and their shells may be appealing to pets, ingesting too many can cause vomiting, choking or even an allergic reaction. It’s best to watch your dog while outdoors for signs of interest in these bugs, and prevent your pet from munching on them whenever possible. If your dog shows adverse reactions after eating cicadas, consult your vet for proper treatment.

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Morris Animal Inn voted one of New Jersey's Best Places to Work

At Morris Animal Inn, we have always focused on treating our canine and feline guests with the best possible service. Now, our facility has been recognized for treating its people well, too! Morris Animal Inn has been named one of the Best Places to Work in New Jersey for 2013 by NJBIZ Magazine.

One of 62 small or medium-sized companies to make the top 100 list, Morris Animal Inn and our lodging, grooming and daycare services have been highlighted by NJBIZ Magazine. Check out an article about it from The Daily Record here.

It is such an honor to be recognized by NJBIZ, a distinction we owe to our enthusiastic staff and guests. Our employees are devoted to providing top quality pet care and love working with animals, a passion that really shows in their daily work. We all know how important our guests are to their families, and believe that our jobs include more than just keeping visiting cats and dogs healthy. When our suites are filled with happy pets, it makes us happy, too.

To our clients, thank you! Your support allows us to work in this fun and innovative environment, where your pets’ bright eyes and perky ears help make our days a little brighter.

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Winterize Your Pet

As we welcome a new year with the changing of the calendar, New Jersey residents once again prepare for the worst of the winter season. In addition to watching our heating bill rise, shovels and rock salt are selling off the shelves and the once busy streets are now quiet as people elect to stay indoors when the temperatures dip to dangerous lows.  But as you and your family avoid the blistering cold and cozy up in the living room with the fireplace burning, a problem arises: Your pet has to go out, and he can’t hold it any longer!

Taking the right precautions for your pet during the winter season is vital to keeping your dog or cat safe and healthy. Here are a few cold weather tips to help you and your pet through a successful winter.

1.      Keep your dog on leash while walking in the snow or ice. Dogs can lose their scent when the ground is heavily covered in snow which can lead to them getting lost. Always make sure you have a firm grip on the leash, just in case your dog decides to dart after another furry animal without warning.

2.      Dress your dog in a sweater or coat, especially for the shorter-haired breeds. Despite being covered with hair, your dog can be just as cold as you are when the temperature drops. By adding another layer you will help your dog stay comfortable on your daily walks.

3.      Try your best to avoid rock salt, as it can hurt or irritate your dog’s sensitive paws. As an alternative use sand or cat litter on the ice around your home to better suit your four legged friend.

4.      Be watchful of your dog’s diet, as many become less active in the winter season. Your dog may pack on some pounds in the winter due to over-feeding and less outdoor activity. If your dog understandably spends less time running around outside due to the cold weather, remember to be careful of how much you are feeding him.

5.      Bring your outdoor cat inside for the winter. If your cat normally spends a lot of time roaming around outside your home, it may be wise to have him come indoors when the weather gets really cold. Although they may not enjoy staying indoors all day, it will be better for their health in the long run.

6.      And finally, make sure to provide your pet with a warm cozy place to sleep. A comfy bed with blankets is sure to keep your pet warm and happy as we wait for the warm weather to return.


Sources:
The Salem News - Make Sure Your Pets Have a Warm Safe Winter:
http://www.salemnews.com/lifestyle/x1525003981/Make-sure-your-pets-have-a-warm-safe-winter

ASPCA - Cold Weather Tips:
http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/pet-care-tips/cold-weather-tips.aspx

We are pleased to have Vin, as a contributing writer for If They Could Talk. Vin is a passionate dog owner. We look forward to sharing his contribution on interesting and educational pet topics.

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Efforts to Help Pets in the Wake of Hurricane Sandy

When Hurricane Sandy made landfall, it left much devastation in the New Jersey/New York area. Homes were left shattered and in the dark, and families were left with the painful task of having to put the broken pieces back together of what was left of the destruction. With many homes still deemed unlivable in the wake of the clean-up, homeowners are being forced to find alternate residences. Already having to leave their homes, the idea of finding a new place to live is an added burden for these families who have lost so much.

With everything that has happened, some families are also facing the reality of not being able to care for their pets during these trying times. Temporary living situations, lack of resources, and tight financials are impacting pet owners all over the area and they need our help. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) is taking huge strides in trying to provide for these families and animals while they try to rebuild. For thousands of families, pets are the only thing they have left and the ASPCA has responded in the best way. By providing food, cat litter, temporary shelter, and other supplies for these pets, they are eager to find all the help they can get.

Longtime pet lover and celebrity chef Rachel Ray recently donated $500,000 to the ASPCA to help the animals affected by Sandy. A true philanthropist, Ray is setting an example of just how much help these victims need.

If you would like to contribute to the cause and help out these poor animals, every cent counts. Donate here and help make the lives of these families a little easier.

Another example of an organization that has taken great strides to help families and their pets is the The Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MCSPCA). They have an urgent list of items they need for their Pet Pantry Distribution Center as they continue to help those affected by Sandy. Click here to view this list.

We are pleased to have Vin, as a contributing writer for If They Could Talk. Vin is a passionate dog owner. We look forward to sharing his contribution on interesting and educational pet topics.

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